1. Status Report: Blue Plains Biosolids Master Plan and COG Staff Support Report to the Blue Plains Regional Committee by Chris Peot and Karl Berger July 23, 2009

2. Presentation Outline Current status Program highlights Digester implementation opportunities Research projects BPRC biosolids program costs

3. Blue Plains Biosolids Tonnage

4. Continued Dependence on Virginia Land Application Program MCMRF closure ERCO closure

5. Challenges We Face Organized public opposition Legislative and regulatory initiatives 11 VA General Assembly bills on biosolids passed since 2001; more expected Nutrient management, environmentally–sensitive site, storage and health-related restrictions Legal challenges Virginia case settled for reported $300,000 Pennsylvania court case pending NIEHS study now underway in NC, VA

6. Strategic Initiatives Digester implementation beginning in 2014 Exploration of new end use options (composting) Broad-based research program Digestion parameter research in association with Va Tech New options/beneficial re-use research Va Tech University of Maryland Microconstituents

7. Tactical Initiatives Invest in Virginia biosolids institutions VAMWA Virginia Biosolids Council Participate in key forums VA Biosolids Expert Panel (2007-2008) Chris Peot VA DEQ Biosolids Technical Advisory Committee (2008-2009) Karl Berger Invest in existing dewatering/stabilization process Biosolids EMS elements have included improvements to lime mixing/odor control, polymer dosing, dewatering capabilities Biosolids Workgroup monthly meetings

8. Blue Plains Biosolids Contracting Costs New WASA contracts New WSSC contract

9. Recent Program Highlights Virginia Biosolids Council Biosolids News, web page, proactive promotion of biosolids recycling VA DEQ Expert Panel and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Panel found no evidence that biosolids harms human health or the environment TAC is considering regulatory changes based on the findings of the EP Research continues at USDA/U of MD and Va Tech Fate of organic compounds in land applied biosolids (triclosan and PBDE’s) Odor monitoring, modeling, and prevention Biosolids use and crop drought resistance Trenching and surface application to hybrid poplar trees New enclosed storage facility (Urban Services/Nutri-blend) Composting initiatives No biosolids landfilled this year

10. New Storage Facility – 15,000 tons capacity, Cumberland County, VA

13. Two Composting Projects 25 wtpd onsite facility 200 wtpd contracted facility

15. McGill – Fully enclosed, biofilter odor control

22. DCWASA Digester Project Class A product in 2014 Designing a thermal hydrolysis pre-digestion plant Diversification of end use land application blended soil product Potential savings $6.5M w/product marketing Can establish market through composting initiatives Drafting a strategic plan to introduce compost back to DC for review by the GM’s office

23. Previous Blue Plains compost projects 300 wtpd at Site II 200 wtpd at Blue Plains All marketed and recycled

24. Examples of other marketing Baltimore LA County Milwaukee 850,000 cy marketed 50 yrs experience $12.50/bag at Home Depot

25. Tacoma, Washington Digested, Class A biosolids blended with soil and sawdust Tagro mix sells for $8/yard for residents, $10/yard for non-residents and commercial customers Tagro potting soil sells for $30/cy

26. Ongoing Research Projects Under BPRC Biostimulant/greenhouse gas study Wye surface application Task Order projects on greenhouse gas balance, land base analysis DC-WASA funded Va Tech trenching study Triclosan, triclorocarbon (DC-WASA) PBDEs (DC-WASA) Odor modeling and prevention WSSC funded ERCO-University of MD (WSSC)

27. BPRC Sponsored Projects Previous projects include: forest nutrient dynamics*, phosphorus fate and transport and heavy metals * Final reports available on COG web site

28. Biostimulant Research at Tech

29. Hybrid Poplar Research at Wye

30. BPRC biosolids budget (proposed) $130,000 for research task Will support 2nd year of biostimulant/carbon sequestration project Will support 2 nd year of surface application to poplars project $ 80,000 for outreach task TAC process/regulatory changes Coordination of VBC, VAMWA initiatives Coordination of legislative responses Continued staff support to Biosolids Workgroup (under BPRC staff support task)

31. BPRC Biosolids Program Costs previously projected

32. Next Steps Continue to support land application option Maintain digester implementation schedule Expand exploration of end use options post- digestion